Workers want flexibility and vaccines to lead return to offices: LinkedIn

The ‘great workplace reshuffle’ is coming, with workers willing to walk away if their health and flexibility needs aren’t met, according to a study by LinkedIn.

The 1000 respondents to the LinkedIn survey were clear about their desire for employers to continue to offer flexibility in the return to the office. Picture: AAP

Vaccines and flexibility will be at the forefront of the “great workplace reshuffle” changing the way businesses operate post-pandemic.

Two-thirds of Australian workers want Covid-19 vaccines to be made mandatory by either their workplace or the government before they will go back to office, according to a survey by social networking site LinkedIn.

The 1000 respondents to the survey were also clear about their desire for employers to continue to offer flexibility, with more than 2 in 5 (43 per cent) workers saying they would prefer a hybrid mix of working in an office and working from home. While almost a third (32 per cent) want to work in an office full time, they want something back in return, whether it’s flexible hours, choice of where they work and relaxed dress code.

LinkedIn Australia and NZ managing director Matt Tindale said the Australian workforce is following similar trends seen globally as many emerge from working from home setups.

“Now, coming out of it, we’ve seen huge changes that have been incredibly impactful for companies and employees worldwide. We are all really taking stock of the way we work, where we work, and what's important,” Mr Tindale said.

“We’re seeing this really be a major factor in companies and the way they’re going to act in the future. The decisions they make now are really going to be impactful to attract and retain some great talent.”

Workers also noted they were worried about those around them. A third of employees said they are not afraid to ask those they work closely with if they have been vaccinated and 59 per cent see onsite Covid-testing as important.

A majority (80 per cent) of IT and telecoms workers said it is important to them that their employer requires all employees to be vaccinated before returning to the workplace, in agreement with two thirds of respondents in the architecture, engineering and building industry.

LinkedIn Australia and NZ managing director Matt Tindale. Picture: Peter Secheny

If employers aren’t willing to embrace the “new-normal”, they may lose employees. The study found that 15 per cent of workers are looking for a new job where they can work remotely, with a similar number considering quitting their job. A further 7 per cent said a reinstatement of full-time office work would cause them to resign.

Mr Tindale said the pandemic has made people realise the benefit of working from home in managing their family responsibilities, mental health and time.

“We’re seeing far more remote jobs being offered on the platform globally,” he said.

“We’re also actually seeing higher response rates and engagement on roles that do have more flexible options. So workplaces are offering it more and employees are wanting it more.”

The latest data from the Property Council of Australia found the level of people heading to CBD offices regressed in most capital cities from May to August, despite the virus lockdowns only truly affecting Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Office foot traffic in Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin fell around 10 per cent over the period. Flexible work weeks also caused a 26 per cent difference in the number of workers attending their offices between weekly peak days and low days in those CBDs that were not locked down.